News

On Tuesday 11 March 2025, BBC Four broadcasts Storyville!

The Heist of China’s Airwaves Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Storyville,” titled “The Heist of China’s Airwaves,” promises to be a gripping exploration of a bold act of defiance against the Chinese government. Set in 2002, this episode tells the story of the outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong, which executed a daring raid to hack into state television stations. Their goal was to counter the government’s narrative about their practices and beliefs.

The episode features celebrated comic book artist Daxiong, who was directly involved in this audacious plot. He recounts his experiences and the motivations behind the hack, providing a unique perspective on the risks taken by those who sought to challenge the official story. Daxiong’s journey takes a dramatic turn as police raids sweep through Changchun City in the aftermath of the hack. Faced with escalating dangers, he...

On Tuesday 4 March 2025, BBC Four broadcasts Storyville!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Storyville” on BBC Four promises to be a heartfelt and lighthearted look at life inside a Covid-19 vaccine centre. Titled “A Humorous and Humane Snapshot,” this episode captures the unique experiences shared by many during a challenging time. It aims to remind everyone of the global journey through the pandemic and the collective moments that brought people together.

Viewers can expect a blend of humor and warmth as the episode showcases the interactions among staff and patients. The atmosphere in the vaccine centre is filled with a mix of anticipation, nervousness, and camaraderie. Through various personal stories, the episode highlights the resilience of individuals and communities as they navigate this unprecedented moment in history.

This episode serves as a form of collective therapy for the post-Covid era. It reflects on how shared experiences can foster connection and understanding.

“The Heist of China’s Airwaves” is an intriguing episode of “Storyville” set to air on BBC Four at 11:00 Pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. This documentary dives into a remarkable event from 2002 when the outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong executed a bold raid to hack into state television stations in China. Their goal was clear: to challenge the government’s narrative about their practices and shed light on their struggles.

The episode features celebrated comic book artist Daxiong, who played a significant role in this audacious plot. Daxiong revisits the events that led to the hack, sharing his experiences and the risks involved. As the story unfolds, viewers learn about the aftermath of the raid, which triggered police crackdowns in Changchun City. The consequences were severe, forcing Daxiong to flee to North America, where he reflects on how the hijacking intensified the repression faced by Falun Gong practitioners.

This episode...

On Tuesday 11 February 2025, BBC Four broadcasts Storyville!

Inside the San Quentin Prison Marathon Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Storyville” titled “Inside the San Quentin Prison Marathon” promises a unique and powerful look at life behind bars. Set in San Quentin State Prison in California, this episode follows three men who are serving life sentences for murder. Despite their circumstances, they find hope and purpose through an unusual challenge: training for a marathon.

The marathon route is anything but typical. These men will run a staggering 105 laps around a crowded prison yard, turning the confines of their environment into a place of growth and connection. As they train together, they form strong bonds that help them navigate the complexities of prison life. Their shared goal fosters a sense of community that breaks through the usual barriers of prison politics.

“26.2 to Life” is more than just a story about running. It...

San Quentin State Prison, notorious for its hardened criminals and grim atmosphere, becomes an unlikely setting for a story of hope and transformation in this week’s Storyville. “26.2 to Life: Inside the San Quentin Prison Marathon” follows three lifers convicted of murder as they embark on the grueling challenge of running a marathon within the […]

Storyville: 26.2 to Life: Finding Freedom Within Walls...

“Recording Evil,” a landmark documentary project exposing the largest spy operation in World War II, has started filming across three continents.

The documentary was commissioned by Israel’s Public Broadcaster, Kan 11, to mark the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Told through tens of thousands declassified British intelligence documents, “Recording Evil” reveals the candid conversations of Nazi officers and soldiers held as prisoners of war during WWII. Unaware of hidden listening devices in British internment facilities, the prisoners spoke freely about their involvement in the Holocaust providing unfiltered accounts that provide details that have never before been made public.

Filming is currently underway at multiple historical locations across the U.K., including facilities and archives where the original Nazi prisoner recordings were made and stored. The doc will also shoot in Germany, in the U.S. and Israel, were leading researchers and historians...

On Tuesday 26 November 2024, BBC Four broadcasts Storyville!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Storyville” on BBC Four promises to be a heartfelt exploration of childhood resilience and the impact of bullying. Titled “Veeru’s Journey,” this documentary follows the life of a five-year-old boy named Veeru, who faces challenges due to his mixed heritage. With an Indian mother and a Nepalese father, Veeru experiences discrimination in his village in the Indian Himalayas.

Viewers will witness the relentless bullying Veeru endures as he grows up. The documentary captures the emotional toll of racism on a young child. Instead of retaliating, Veeru learns to cope with the harsh words and actions of his peers. His journey is not just about the pain he faces, but also about the strength he builds over five transformative years.

As the story unfolds, Veeru discovers a talent for a sport that becomes a turning point in his life.

On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 11:00 Pm, BBC Four presents an emotional and inspiring episode of “Storyville,” featuring a powerful documentary about a young boy named Veeru. The film follows Veeru over the course of five transformative years as he faces relentless bullying and discrimination in his village in the Indian Himalayas. Born to an Indian mother and a Nepalese father, Veeru struggles with the harsh reality of being taunted for his mixed race. The documentary offers an intimate look at the profound effects of racism on a child, capturing his emotional journey as he navigates this difficult period of his life.

Despite the adversity he faces, Veeru never retaliates, showing remarkable resilience and strength of character. His story takes a turn when he discovers a talent for a sport that not only helps him find a sense of belonging but also turns his former “enemies” into teammates. “Storyville” presents a...

“Storyville” is set to air a captivating documentary on Tuesday, 29 October 2024, at 11:00 Pm on BBC Four. This episode dives into the intriguing world of the digital afterlife business. It poses a thought-provoking question: What if death is not the end?

The documentary explores how technology is changing the way people think about life after death. It examines companies that offer services allowing loved ones to communicate with those who have passed away. This concept, which seems like something out of a science fiction story, is becoming a reality for many.

Viewers will get an inside look at the emotional and ethical implications of these services. The film features interviews with experts, families, and those involved in the digital afterlife industry. It raises important questions about memory, grief, and the lengths to which people will go to maintain connections with those they have lost. “Storyville” promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of life,...

On Tuesday 1 October 2024, BBC Four broadcasts Storyville!

Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Storyville” on BBC Four promises to be an insightful exploration of important global issues. Titled simply “Documentaries that Matter,” this episode will showcase a selection of powerful films that tackle themes such as racism, war, religion, international asylum, homelessness, and gang violence.

Viewers can expect a deep dive into these pressing topics, as the episode highlights how different cultures and communities around the world face these challenges. Each documentary featured will offer unique perspectives, shedding light on personal stories and broader societal issues.

This episode aims to provoke thought and encourage discussion about the realities many people face today. By bringing these stories to the forefront, “Storyville” continues its mission of presenting important narratives that resonate on a global scale. It will be a chance for audiences to reflect on the complexities of life in various parts...

We Will Dance Again, a 90-minute documentary about the victims and survivors of the massacre at the Nova Music Festival, one of the sites in Israel that was attacked by Hamas a year ago, got a special preview screening in London on Tuesday evening courtesy of the BBC, whose Storyville doc strand is debuting the program in the U.K. on Wednesday night.

Using the testimony of survivors, CCTV and mobile phone footage, the film tells the personal stories of some of the people who lived and many who died. It shows partygoers hiding under the stage, in a fridge, toilets and trash containers and plays recordings of some of the emergency calls made to the Israeli army, police and ambulance service. The party, which began as a celebration for around 3,500 Israelis and other nationals, ended with 364 people being killed and 44 being taken hostage.

After Tuesday’s screening at the...

This Tuesday at 10:00 Pm, BBC Four presents “Storyville,” a thought-provoking series that showcases some of the finest documentaries from around the globe. Each episode dives deep into pressing themes that resonate across borders, including racism, war, religion, international asylum, homelessness, and gangs. This week promises a selection of films that not only inform but also challenge viewers to reflect on the complex realities facing many communities today.

“Storyville” has built a reputation for its powerful storytelling and ability to tackle difficult subjects with sensitivity and depth. The documentaries featured in this episode highlight personal narratives and broader societal issues, shedding light on the struggles and resilience of people affected by these challenges. By exploring such important topics, “Storyville” encourages a deeper understanding of the world, prompting discussions that can lead to awareness and change.

For anyone seeking to engage with important global issues through the lens of documentary filmmaking,...

Sony/Eleventh Hour Signs Deal With Hill 5.14

Sony Pictures Television (Spt) and its UK subsidiary, Eleventh Hour Films, have struck a first-look deal with Hill 5.14, a Black female-led scripted TV label led by Tobi Olujinmi. Eleventh Hour will get a first-look option to co-develop and co-produce TV projects from the Hill 5.14 slate, with Spt acting as distributor. Olujinmi launched Hill 5.14 in late 2022, having previously worked as Eleventh Hour, and has gone on to work with writers such as Phoebe Okeowo (The Power), Bella Heesom (Sex Education), Victoria Asare-Archer (Missing You) and Thara Poopla (Sex Education) and on-screen talent such as Weruche Opia (I May Destroy You), Adelayo Adebayo (The Responder) and Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton). “I am beyond thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures and Ehf for the next phase of Hill 5.14’s journey,” said Olujinmi. “It’s the dream team. Their joint expertise, experience and track record of delivering...

Two Rivers Media has secured a commission from BBC Arts for “The Last Musician of Auschwitz,” a feature documentary set to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

The 90-minute film, co-funded by Access, the company behind Cannes, Oscar and BAFTA-winning “The Zone of Interest,” will explore the stories of musicians who created and performed music in the concentration camp during the Holocaust.

Centering on 99-year-old Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, the only living musician from the Auschwitz orchestras, the doc will also highlight four other musicians from across Europe: Adam Kopyciński, Szymon Laks, Martin Rosebery D’Arguto and Ilse Weber. The documentary will feature a newly discovered work by Weber and a premiere recording of a lullaby composed by Kopyciński in Auschwitz.

Alan Clements, managing director of Two Rivers Media, will executive produce alongside Cohen and Emily Blavatnik for Access. Deborah Lee is producing, with Toby Trackman directing.

Abacus Media Rights will handle international distribution.

In the upcoming episode of “Storyville,” airing at 10:00 Pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, on BBC Four, viewers will delve into a compelling documentary focusing on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States. Despite being one of 574 federally recognized tribes, the Muscogee Nation stands out for establishing a free and independent press, a rare feat among Native American communities.

The documentary explores the significance of this initiative within the context of Native American sovereignty and cultural preservation. It sheds light on how the Muscogee Nation uses its independent press to amplify Native voices, share community stories, and uphold tribal traditions. Viewers will gain insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by the Muscogee Nation in maintaining their cultural identity through media.

Through interviews, archival footage, and narrative storytelling, “Storyville” offers a poignant look at the resilience and determination of the Muscogee people. It...

Updated with complete winners list: Despite being up for four acting category awards, The Crown‘s final season left the BAFTA TV Awards empty handed tonight in London.

Elizabeth Debicki, Lesley Manville, Salim Daw and Dominic West were all snubbed, as the the likes of Matthew Macfadyen, Jasmine Jobson, Timothy Spall and Sarah Lancashire all triumphed and the Netflix show went out quietly.

There was also a major surprise in the International category, where little-known French drama Class Act beat the likes of Beef, The Bear and The Last of Us to win the prize. Among the most shocked was the show’s star Laurent Lafitte, who urged the audience to find and watch his show — to the amusement of the audience.

The first award of the night saw Jobson beat off competition from actresses from The Crown, Succession and The Last of Us to win Best Supporting Actress for...

A one armed man selling shoes, a lady with a log obsession, evil spirits called Bob who feed on pain and suffering, dwarves speaking backwards, a ton of doughnuts, plus a murder mystery with a killer reveal. It can only be one crazy series, can’t it? That’s right my fellow wonderful gore-hounds, we’re taking a psychedelic trip to the fictional Washington town of Twin Peaks. The original show ran from 1990 to 1991 and followed an investigation by FBI agent Dale Cooper, played to perfection by Kyle MacLachlan, into the murder of Sheryl Lee’s homecoming queen, Laura Palmer. The series didn’t end there though, no siree, writer / director David Lynch had grander plans for the residents of Twin Peaks.

In fact, in was only one year later, 1992, that Lynch unleashed his big screen movie based around the events leading up to the first season of the show; prequel,...

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10:00 Pm, BBC Four’s “Storyville” presents an eye-opening documentary titled “Praying for Armageddon.” This political thriller delves deep into the world of American Evangelical Christians who are fervently working towards fulfilling the Armageddon prophecy, a scenario they believe will usher in the Second Coming of Christ.

“Praying for Armageddon” takes viewers inside the lives of believers preparing for what they refer to as The Holy War. The film provides an unprecedented look at the dynamics within powerful megachurches, where charismatic pastors advocate for the ‘final battle’ that is central to their eschatological beliefs.

This documentary explores the significant influence these religious groups wield and the implications of their actions on both American politics and global stability. Through intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, “Storyville” uncovers the motivations and preparations of those who are eagerly anticipating apocalyptic events.

This episode of “Storyville” promises to be both enlightening and provocative,...

“The Crown” could well bow out in style on home soil, with the final outing of the show leading the list of nominees for the 2024 BAFTA TV and TV Craft awards, announced Wednesday.

Netflix’s hit royal drama — which came to an end last year after six seasons — landed eight nominations in total, including for Dominic West, Elizabeth Debecki, Lesley Manville and Salim Daw in the performance categories. However, it missed out for drama series (an award it has been nominated for three times previously).

Just behind “The Crown” and also a Netflix production, the apocalyptic “Black Mirror” episode “Demon 79” earned seven nominations, including limited drama and leading actress for Anjana Vasan.

Further down in a tight group of frontrunners, BBC dramas “Happy Valley” and “The Sixth Commandment and Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses” each have six nominations. Sarah Lancashire’s leading actress nomination for “Happy Valley” could see...

Embark on a breathtaking journey through the Norwegian wilderness this Christmas with “Storyville.” Airing at 7:00 Pm on Monday, December 25, 2023, on BBC Four, this epic nature documentary follows the extraordinary expedition of the director’s 85-year-old father. Through all four seasons, he hikes through the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Oldedalen valley in Nordfjord, western Norway.

This meditative exploration captures the raw beauty of nature, immersing viewers in the majestic scenery and the changing hues of the seasons. As the director’s father traverses the mighty landscapes, “Storyville” weaves a captivating narrative that goes beyond a traditional nature documentary, delving into the personal and profound connection between an individual and the untamed beauty of the natural world.

For those seeking a serene escape and a deeper connection with the wonders of the Earth, “Storyville” promises an enchanting experience. Tune in to BBC Four at 7:00 Pm for a Christmas evening filled...

Piper Laurie, who blossomed as an actress only after extricating herself from the studio system and went on to rack up three Oscar nominations, has died. She was 91.

Laurie’s manager Marion Rosenberg confirmed the news to Variety, writing, “A beautiful human being and one of the great talents of our time.”

Laurie scored her first Oscar nomination for her work opposite Paul Newman in 1961’s classic poolhall drama “The Hustler,” in which she played an alcoholic who memorably tells Newman’s character, “Look, I’ve got troubles and I think maybe you’ve got troubles. Maybe it’d be better if we just leave each other alone.”

Though she informally retired to raise a family for more than a decade, she returned to film and television in the mid-’70s and racked up an impressive roster of characterizations, including Oscar-nominated turns in “Carrie” and in “Children of a Lesser God,...

Brooke Shields became a star and attracted mild controversy in this show, director Louis Malle’s first American production. Co-writer & producer Polly Platt and cinematographer Sven Nykvist collaborated on Malle’s fascinating look at life in a New Orleans brothel early in the 20th century. Prostitute Susan Sarandon raises two children in the upscale bawdy house, and art photographer Keith Carradine becomes an artist in residence. It’s a non-moralizing portrait of a bygone lifestyle. The handsome remastered release co-stars Diana Scarwid and Barbara Steele — and comes with a new interview with Brooke Shields.

Pretty Baby

Blu-ray

Viavision [Imprint] 174

1978 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 109 min. / Street Date November 4, 2022 / Available from / £

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Keith Carradine, Brooke Shields, Frances Faye, Antonio Fargas, Gerrit Graham, Matthew Anton, Mae Mercer, Diana Scarwid, Barbara Steele.

Cinematography: Sven Nykvist

Production Designer: Trevor Williams

Costume Supervisor: Mina Mittelman

Film Editor: Suzanne Fenn, supervisor Suzanne Baron

Music adapted by Jerry Wexler,...

It’s Friday again, readers. Jesse Whittock here, taking you through the week’s top headlines.

Cannes Goods

Pre-market deals galore: With Cannes now less than two weeks away, everyone’s in deal mode, and Andreas had the scoop on several big packages. Film Constellation took sales rights to Blue Jean, a BBC Film- and BFI backed identity drama, while Bella Thorne has signed up to lead thriller Saint Clare, co-scripted by American Psycho’s Guinevere Turner. Oscar nominee Felicity Jones and Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey are attached to comedy Maria, which Independent Entertainment will be selling at the festival, XYZ Films took worldwide sales rights to the Frank Grillo/Robert Patrick/Rhona Mitra-starring thriller Hounds of War, and Bankside Films bagged Oren Moverman’s Raised Eyebrows, which brings Geoffrey Rush and Sienna Miller together. Elsewhere, Kate Beckinsale is set for spy thriller...

Eva Yates has been appointed Director of BBC Film.

The assumed front-runner for the job, Yates will be responsible for the development and production of films backed by the broadcaster.

Yates, who replaces Rose Garnett who is leaving to join A24, will also oversee Storyville, the BBC’s documentary films strand led by Philippa Kowarsky.

Yates is currently Acting Director of BBC Film and joined the broadcaster in 2017. As a BBC commissioner and executive producer, she has commissioned more than 30 features, most recently Aleem Khan’s BAFTA winner After Love; Blue Story by Andrew Rapman Onwubolu; Remi Weekes’s BAFTA winner His House; and Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun which will premiere in Cannes Critics Week 2022.

Prior to joining the BBC, she worked for eight years as an executive at Film4, where she executive-produced movies including Rungano Nyoni’s BAFTA winner I Am Not A Witch, which premiered in Directors’ Fortnight and...

Eva Yates has been promoted to the high profile role of director of BBC Film, a position previously held by Rose Garnett, who has moved on to indie studio A24.

Yates, who is currently acting director of BBC Film, will be responsible for the development and production of the 12-15 films the company produces every year. She will also oversee Storyville, the BBC’s flagship feature documentary strand, under the new leadership of Philippa Kowarsky.

Yates joined the BBC in 2017. As a BBC commissioner and executive producer, she has commissioned over 30 feature films, most recently Aleem Khan’s six-time BIFA and BAFTA winning and Cannes selected “After Love.” Previously, Yates worked for eight years as an executive at Film4, where she executive produced Rungano Nyoni’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight selection “I Am Not A Witch,” which won the BAFTA for outstanding British debut and “Been So Long,” starring Michaela Coel.

Major role in UK film ecosystem is responsible for £11m yearly budget.

Eva Yates has been confirmed as the new director of BBC Film, taking on one of the major roles in the independent UK film ecosystem.

Yates has been acting director at the development and production body since the departure of Rose Garnett to join US firm A24, announced in early March this year. She will start immediately as director, and will be in Cannes.

Yates will oversee BBC Film’s £11m annual budget for development and production, which goes towards 12 to 15 films a year. Also under her remit is the Storyville documentary strand,...

Channel 4 and Peacock’s “We Are Lady Parts” and Sky Atlantic and HBO Max’s “Landscapers” led the 2022 British Academy Television Craft Awards with three wins each.

“We Are Lady Parts,” a musical comedy about a Muslim female punk band, won writer – comedy for creator Nida Manzoor; PC Williams won for costume design and Aisha Bywaters won for scripted casting.

“Landscapers,” inspired by the story of a couple whose crime of killing her parents remained undiscovered for over a decade, won original music for Arthur Sharpe; photography and lighting; fiction for Erik Wilson; and production design for Cristina Casali, Robert Wischhusen-Hayes and Fabrice Spelta.

“It’s A Sin,” the 1980s set Channel 4 drama about five friends living in the shadow of AIDS, won director – fiction for Peter Hoar and editing: fiction for Sarah Brewerton. Kayleigh Llewellyn won writer – drama for the BBC’s “In My Skin.”

The TV Craft Special Award was presented to TripleC,...

BBC Content has advertised for the high powered role of commissioning director, BBC Film and Storyville, a position formerly held by Rose Garnett under the title director of BBC Film.

BBC Film is the feature film-making arm of the BBC, co-producing some 15 films a year. Recent successes include the BAFTA and Critics Choice awards winning “The Power of the Dog” and “The Souvenir” and “The Souvenir: Part II.”

Storyville is the broadcaster’s flagship feature documentary strand and showcases films from around the world including “Welcome to Chechnya” and “Collective.” It moved under the remit of BBC Film in 2020. Storyville was led by Mandy Chang, until the executive left to join Fremantle as global head of factual. “Flee” executive producer Philippa Kowarsky was appointed commissioning editor, reporting into Garnett.

Garnett recently resigned her BBC Film position to join A24 and Eva Yates is currently serving as acting director.

To fill Garnett’s role,...

The BBC’s Storyville strand, which sets out to showcase the world’s best international documentaries, has picked up a new slate of eight films.

They will be screened on BBC Four and iPlayer over eight weeks starting Jan. 26.

“We’re excited to offer U.K. audiences this eclectic range of documentaries from around the globe,” Philippa Kowarsky, commissioning editor of Storyville, said in a statement.

“These stories deal with the issues of our times, from mistrust of political systems to the challenges of educational attainment, and from class and racial discrimination to the fight for women’s rights. They shine a light on some truly inspirational, and some controversial, characters, as well as some appealing canines!”

Check out the full slate below:

“Final Account” [Pictured above]

About the last living generation of everyday people to participate in the Third Reich

Filmed and Directed by Luke Holland

Produced by John Battsek, Luke Holland,...

Tel Aviv-based sales outfit and advisory firm Cinephil is linking up with London’s WestEnd Films for a new joint venture that will see the companies unite on development, financing and sales.

The deal comes as Cinephil founder and managing director Philippa Kowarsky recently stepped down from the business — a leading sales firm whose credits include the Sundance-winning “Flee” and Oscar-nominated “Collective” — to take up one of the documentary industry’s most prestigious roles, as commissioning editor of BBC documentary strand Storyville.

Under the new pact, WestEnd and Cinephil will collaborate on upcoming projects and films. Maya Amsellem, the Tel Aviv-based co-founder and managing director of WestEnd Films, said “together with the knowledge and expertise of Cinephil, we can bring the best of documentary films and series to the screen. Philippa has built an impressive brand which we are honored to preserve and strengthen even further.”

Following Kowarsky’s departure,...

Philippa Kowarsky, executive producer of 2021 Sundance winner “Flee,” has been appointed commissioning editor of prestigious documentary brand BBC Storyville.

Kowarsky’s focus will be identifying and co-producing outstanding original documentary feature films from around the world. She will report to Rose Garnett, director of BBC Film.

Kowarsky joins the BBC from Cinephil, the international sales and advisory firm which she founded in 1997 and where she is currently MD. At Cinephil she represented and oversaw a diverse slate of films including Joshua Oppenheimer and Christine Cynn’s BAFTA winning “The Act of Killing” and Alexander Nanau’s Academy and BAFTA and Oscar nominated “Collective.”

Jonas Poher Rasmussen’s, “Flee,” which Kowarsky executive produced, won the grand jury prize in the world cinema documentary section at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and was in the official selection of the 2020 Cannes Film Festival. Kowarsky’s credits also include Dror Moreh’s Oscar nominated “The Gatekeepers...

The BBC has appointed Philippa Kowarsky to the role of Commissioning Editor of Storyville, the org’s international documentary strand.

Kowarsky joins from Cinephil, the international sales and advisory firm which she founded in 1997. During her time at the company she worked on films including the BAFTA winning The Act Of Killing and the Oscar nominated Collective. Kowarsky has also worked as a producer on the Oscar nominated The Gatekeepers, the Emmy winning Night Will Fall, and the Sundance award winner Flee.

At the BBC she will report to Rose Garnett, director of BBC Film. Her focus will be identifying and co-producing doc features from around the world.

Storyville’s Jo Lapping has been upped to Head of Factual Acquisitions, reporting to Sue Deeks, Head of Programme Acquisition. Lapping will acquire both documentary films and factual programming for the BBC, working closely with Kowarsky.

Philippa Kowarsky said: “Crossing over from Cinephil,...

As this documentary opens, a group of Japanese women in their 70s sit around a table, eating and reminiscing. They are the surviving members of a volleyball team, founded at a textile factory, that between the late 1950s and the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, became the best in the world. Dubbed ‘The Witches of the Orient’ by the press during their early 60s world tour, in which they defeated all comers, including their biggest rivals, the Ussr.

Julien Faraut’s film mixes archive footage of the team, of anime inspired by them and of Japan at and before the time of their dominance, with contemporary footage of interviews with the surviving members, as well as bits of their current daily routine. As far as it goes, it’s not an uninteresting subject, but in terms of focus it passes by much of the most provocative material. In (finally) contextualising its anime clips,...

The BAFTA Film Awards took place on April 11, and now the time has come for the BAFTA Television Awards to take centre stage. On April 27, the Virgin Media must-see moment award nominees were announced, which saw the likes of Gogglebox, Bridgerton, and Britain's Got Talent featured on the list.

On April 28, the full list of nominees were announced, with The Crown nominated for 10 awards, Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You nominated for eight awards, and Steve McQueen's Small Axe leading the charge with an impressive 15 nominations. On June 6, the full BAFTA Television Awards ceremony took place on BBC One, with I May Destroy You leading the charge after winning two awards.

Comedy Entertainment Programme:

Winner: The Big Narstie Show

Charlie Brooker's Antiviral Wipe

Rob & Romesh Vs

The Ranganation

Daytime

Winner: The Great House Giveaway

Jimmy McGovern's Moving

Richard Osman's House Of

The Chase

Drama...

Once seen as rather elitist and niche, the documentary feature market is expanding as audience demand for real life stories continues to grow.

Documentaries have become a huge genre in their own right, says Lia Devlin, head of distribution at Altitude Films, whose slate includes “Tina,” “Zappa,” “David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet,” and festival hit “Gunda,” which it releases this June.

“Audiences have reappraised the documentary genre. They are treated very much now as feature films and a solid entertainment format.”

Streamers have played a key part in helping broaden the appeal of feature docs, offering thrilling and emotional real-life stories that are often as dramatic as anything that fiction could dream up. Netflix, in particular, has helped to raise awareness. The streamer, for example, has two hotly tipped Oscar documentary contenders this year, “My Octopus Teacher” and “Crip Camp,” having previously won the category in 2018 with “Icarus” and in 2020 with “American Factory.

The documentary filmmakers behind Tribeca Film Festival award winner “Island of the Hungry Ghosts” are hitting Visions du Réel film festival with a new project, examining urban migration and the rapid pace at which climate change has impacted the lives of one cattle-herding family.

“The Wolves Always Come at Night” (a working title), from Australian/U.K. director Gabrielle Brady, is one of the projects gaining buzz in the Nyon-based festival’s pitching section, which will feature in VdR’s Industry program next week.

The pitch will be presented online by Berlin-based duo Brady and her producing partner Julia Niethammer, working for Germany production company Chromosom Film.

The narrative focuses on a family of nomadic herders Anktuya and Dorji and their two daughters, who are forced to migrate to a cramped and polluted settlement following the death of their cattle herd, which they discover frozen overnight, like ice sculptures, on the rural Mongolian landscape.

Sweden’s Guldbagge Awards

Sweden’s primary national film awards, the Guldbagge Awards, were held in Stockholm last night. Henrik Schyffert’s comedy drama Run Uje Run won Best Film as well as Best Actor (Uje Brandelius) and Best Screenplay (also for Brandelius). Amanda Kernell’s drama Charter was another of the big winners, taking Best Director, Best Actress (Ane Dahl Torp), and Best Cinematography (Sophia Olsson). Waad Al-Kateab’s For Sama won best International Feature, while I Am Greta took Best Documentary Film.

Fremantle-Backed Podcast Producer Storyglass Hires Audible Exec

Storyglass, the Fremantle-backed podcast production company, has hired Audible originals executive Steve Carsey as its managing director. He will report to Storyglass chairman Bob McCourt and will be responsible for overseeing Storyglass’ projects across all scripted and unscripted genres. Storyglass was fully-owned by Fremantle until last year, when it was spun out into a standalone company within the Bertelsmann Group.

The doc is a co-production between Fraser’s Docsville Studios, Altitude Factual and Expanded Media.

Oscar-winning UK director Kevin Macdonald is teaming with Altitude and broadcaster ITV for a feature documentary that delves intothe UK’s ICU wards during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The One Day In September director is working with Canadian film producer Lawrence Elman and founder of BBC’s Storyville strand Nick Fraser on The Year That Changed Britain (working title).

The documentary is a co-production between Fraser’s Docsville Studios, Altitude Factual and Expanded Media.

ITV controller of factual Jo Clinton Davis and head...

Industry programme Nebulae was online this year.

Projects from Canada, Argentina and Portugal were the winners the Arché Awards of Doclisboa’s industry platform Nebulae. They were presented in a virtual award ceremony on Sunday evening (November 1).

The Rtp Award for the best project in the editing or first- cut stage went to Sofia Brockenshire’s Canada-Argentina project The Dependents which is based on the diaries of a Canadian immigration officer detailing 30 years of his service in Latin America and Asia.

The award sees broadcaster Rtp pay €25,000 for the TV rights for Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking African countries.

The jury was comprised of Mandy Chang,...

The Storyville commissioning team will report to BBC Film head Rose Garnett.

BBC documentary strand Storyville is moving under the remit of BBC Film, as part of a broader restructuring of the BBC’s filmmaking output.

Storyville commissioning editor Mandy Chang and assistant commissioner Hayley Reynolds will now report to BBC Film director Rose Garnett, effective immediately.

Chang and Jo Lapping will work in factual acquisitions across the BBC’s channels and iPlayer, while co-ordinator Hollie Gibson will work across both teams.

The news was announced in an email to staff from Clare Sillery, head of documentaries commissioning at the BBC.

The U.K.’s BBC Four has commissioned a feature-length documentary that will investigate what became of the Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s immense wealth in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, which ended his reign.

Produced by Brook Lapping, “The Search for Gaddafi’s Billions” will air as part of the BBC’s long-running documentary banner Storyville, and will follow two Dutch journalists, Misha Wessel and Thomas Blom, as they enter the mysterious world of spies, special forces and political insiders who are hunting Gaddafi’s cash.

Broadcasters Vpro/Npo are the lead commissioners, and the 90-minute film is co-produced with Zdf/Arte and Brook Lapping in association with Gebrüder Beetz Filmproduktion. Brook Lapping is part of Zinc Media Group.

Greg Sanderson, director of London Television for Zinc Media Group, said: “Enigmatic in life, it is no surprise that Gaddafi’s legacy is a tale of intrigue and violence.

We have more sad news to pass along today as word has come in that veteran movie and television actress Galyn G&#246rg has passed away. Along with many other roles, Gorg is particularly known for her role as Angie in the 1990 action sequel RoboCop 2, though she had still been acting professionally as recently as last year. Reportedly, Gorg died on the day of her 56th birthday on July 15 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

To help pay for funeral expenses, Gorg's family has launched a GoFundMe page to kindly ask for donations. "She was diagnosed with cancer throughout her entire body and lungs. The doctors claimed she only had days maybe a week to live, and after remaining optimistic and praying for a miracle, she has sadly passed," the GoFundMe page description reads, noting the family had spent a lot of money to fly the actress to Oahu for her cancer treatments.

BBC Storyville has acquired U.K. rights to Scandalous, the documentary about U.S. tabloid the National Enquirer.

Storyville, which struck the deal with Agc International, will broadcast the film on BBC Four this month.

The documentary, from director Mark Landsman, charts the publication’s impact on journalism, business, culture and politics. After purchasing the New York Enquirer in the 1950s with funds from his godfather (and reputed mob boss) Frank Costello, Generoso Pope, Jr. rebranded and renamed the publication the National Enquirer. Scandalous explores how Pope, Jr. turned the racing and sporting newspaper into a mass market tabloid stuffed with scandal, medical oddities, conspiracy theories, celebrity gossip and paparazzi photos of the rich and famous, from Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and Princess Diana to Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

The film dissects why the paper thrived, the impact of its sharp turn into partisan politics, and why the tabloid...

Magnolia Pictures distributed in Us.

BBC Storyville has acquired UK rights from Agc International to Scandalous, the documentary about notorious tabloid the National Enquirer.

BBC Storyville will broadcast the film on BBC Four in June.

Mark Landsman’s film explores the publication’s impact on journalism, and the business, cultural and political landscapes.

Generoso Pope Jr. bought the sports newspaper then known as the New York Enquirer in the 1950s with funds from his godfather and reputed mob boss Frank Costello.

Scandalous looks at how Pope Jr. transformed it into a magazine dedicated to scandal, medical oddities, conspiracy theories, celebrity...

BBC documentary strand ‘Storyville’ has picked up U.K. rights to a film on tabloid The National Enquirer from Agc International.

Co-produced by CNN Films, Agc Studios and This is Just a Test, “Scandalous” traces the National Enquirer’s evolution from when it was first founded by Generoso Pope Jr. — who bought racing and sports newspaper New York Enquirer in the 1950s and rebranded the publication as the National Enquirer — to its current status as one of the world’s most sensational tabloid brands.

Directed by Mark Landsman, “Scandalous” explores how Pope Jr. grew the publication into a mass-market tabloid chock full of various scandals, medical oddities and conspiracy theories, celebrity gossip and paparazzi photos. The doc features interviews with former staff and other media observers, who discuss the tabloid’s success, the impact of its segue into partisan politics, and why the National Enquirer began catching and killing stories...

After years producing investigative documentaries that hold the likes of Isis and East African death squads to account, Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff now finds himself in the media glare, pursued by fellow documentarians and acutely aware of optics.

In this “golden age” of nonfiction, where a film on 30-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sold to Netflix for a reported $10 million at last year’s Sundance, Ossoff, the 33-year-old challenger for a Senate seat in Georgia, in a meta twist, is being courted by an accomplished documentary producer (the campaign declines to name names) who’s eager to follow promising young candidates in this year’s elections.

Ossoff gets it. It’s not often U.S. documentary filmmakers run for office. “It may be that folks who dedicate their careers to digging into the flaws and failures of our political system perhaps view those flaws and failures so starkly that they hesitate to dive in themselves,...

Exclusive: Mohammed Ali Naqvi’s latest documentary feature, The Accused: Damned or Devoted?, will receive its first UK broadcast on BBC Four on March 2.

The BBC Storyville project focuses on Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws by following ambitious Cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, examining the cases of those accused of disrespecting Islam, including Asia Bibi, the Christian woman who spent almost 10 years on death row.

Director Ali Naqvi said the project was “the most dangerous film” he had ever worked on.

“When I was initially approached to possibly explore this topic, I refused,” he explained. “As I saw my country falling prey to the political ambitions of a despot, one who was using Islam as a veneer, I wanted to expose Rizvi. Here was a cleric who did not speak for me or other Muslims, he only spoke for his own political ambitions. In doing so, he was also responsible for...

Kate Nash is recalling a nightmare she had recently. In the dream, the musician and star of the Netflix series Glow remembers being on a raft in a dark tunnel, surrounded by man-eating killer whales.

“I escaped the tunnel, and I was running around in this carpark, with all these trailers, that looked a little bit like the Glow trailer lot,” she explains. “And I was really scared the killer whales were gonna come for me, even though I was on pavement now. My drummer opened up a trailer door,...

The UK Jewish Film Festival (November 6 – 21) has revealed its 2019 lineup, including galas for Taika Waititi’s Nazi satire JoJo Rabbit and Diane Kruger thriller The Operative.

Toronto Audience Award winner JoJo Rabbit, about a young boy in Hitler’s army who finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home, will be the festival’s closing night gala, a choice that could stir debate. Waititi, who is Jewish, plays Hitler. Also starring are Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell and Rebel Wilson.

The festival’s Centerpiece Gala will be the UK premiere of The Operative, about a woman who is recruited by the Mossad to work undercover in Tehran. Directed by Yuval Adler, the Berlin Film Festival debut stars Diane Kruger and Martin Freeman.

Films in competition for the Dorfman Best Film Award are Dolce Fine Giornata, Flawless, Jojo Rabbit, festival opener My Polish Honeymoon, Stripped and The Unorthodox.

Exclusive: Daniel Schulman’s bestselling nonfiction book Sons of Wichita: How the Koch Brothers Became America’s Most Powerful and Private Dynasty is in the works for the small screen. Stephen Robert Morse’s Observatory and Max Peltz’s Cavendish Pictures have optioned the rights to the book to develop both fiction and non-fiction projects. The plan is likely for a limited series as well as a documentary, they say. The deal comes just days after the passing of billionaire industrialist David Koch.

SmithDehn Llp, is backing the project as production counsel.

With strong positions on issues like climate change denial and small government, the Koch brothers have been a political tour de force for decades. The Libertarian and Republican- supporting Koch brothers have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to right wing causes.

“This is the most...